Photodegradable hydrocarbon polymers

ABSTRACT

Photodegradable hydrocarbon polymers that are susceptible to attack by common microorganisms after exposure to sunlight in a natural atmospheric environment. The polymers include polystyrene and polyethylene polymers and copolymers modified with one or more chemical additives to initiate and to enhance photodegradation.

United States Patent Swanholm et al.

[ PHOTODEGRADABLE HYDROCARBON POLYMERS Inventors: Carl E. Swanholm; Robert G.

Caldwell, both of Boise, Idaho Bio-Degradable Plastics, Inc., Phoenix, Ariz.

Filed: June 21, 1973 Appl. No.: 372,046

Related US. Application Data Continuation-in-part of Ser, No. 195,021, Nov. 2, 1971, abandoned.

Assignee:

US. Cl. 260/2.5 HB; 260/DIG. 43; 260/94.9 GC

Int. Cl C08f 27/22; C08f 27/28 Field of Search 260/45.95, 45.7, DIG. 43, 260/94.9 GC, 2.5 HB; 424/83 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1965 Potts et al. 260/94.9 7/1969 Newland et al 260/23 7/1971 Newland et a] 260/41 7/1972 Henry 260/63 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Journal of Polymer Science-Vol. XXX-pp. 671 to 684 (1959)article by Oster et al.

Polymer Preprints-Vol. 12, No. 2, Sept. 1971 Papers presented at Washington Meeting Division Polymer Chemistry, ACS, article by Purcell, pages 81 to 90. Plastics Technology-Vol. 17, No. 7, July 1971 pages 23, 26 and 28.

Primary ExaminerV. P. I-loke [5 7 ABSTRACT Photodegradable hydrocarbon polymers that are susceptible to attack by common microorganisms after exposure to sunlight in a natural atmospheric environment. The polymers include polystyrene and polyethylene polymers and copolymers modified with one or more chemical additives to initiate and to enhance photodegradation.

6 Claims, No Drawings PHOTODEGRADABLE HYDROCARBON POLYMERS This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 195,021, filed Nov. 2, 1971 on Photodegradable Hydrocarbon Polymers, and Mehtod of Pro ducing Same, now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to improvements in the use of chemical additives for plastic products to enhance their degradation when exposed to sunlight in the natural environment, and more particularly to hydrocarbon polymer packaging and other products that normally possess relatively strong structural characteristics but that readily decompose when exposed to radiation within the ultraviolet content of sunlight and are susceptible, after initiation on the decomposing process, to attack by common microorganisms existing in the outdoor environment, thereby leading to biodegradation of the product.

The collection and disposal of packaging and other products formed from synthetic plastic materials are a major problem which contribute to the litter common to mans environment. As evidenced by the British Pat. No. 1,128,793, it has been proposed in the prior art to provide synthetic plastic materials that will disintegrate upon exposure to ultraviolet light or sunlight. In that reference, the packaging material consists of a copolymer of ethylene and carbon monoxide, the carbon monoxide being present in an amount which will permit the packaging material to disintegrate following exposure to natural sunlight. Furthermore, it is known in the prior art (as evidenced by the US. Pats. to Roedel No. 2,484,529, Steck No. 2,986,507, Neugebauer No. 2,989,455 and Potts No. 3,219,566 and the article by Gerald Oster, et al, Journal of Polymer Science, Volume 34 (1959), page 67) that photosensitizers, such as benzophenone, anthraquinone and anthrone, may be used to promote crosslinking and insolubilizing of polymers upon ultraviolet irradiation. Concomitant with such crosslinking and insolubilization, a certain amount of photo-oxidative scission of polymer chains is to be ex pected.

The primary object of the present invention is to reduce the problem of litter of certain synthetic plastic products by incorporating in the product a suitable photosensitizer that produces a photo-oxidative chain scission of the polymer to afford a degraded polymeric product. In accordance with an important advantage of the invention, the irradiation of such products in the natural environment leads to disintegration and subsequent microbial attack of the plastic products, thereby alleviating the litter problem.

This invention is particularly applicable to hydrocarbon polymers and copolymers made from unsaturated monomers having at least twenty per cent of the structural unit of general formula wherein Y represents hydrogen or a phenyl group. Useful styrene-containing polymers include styrene homopolymer, homopolymers of styrene derivatives such as a-methylstyrene, high impact polystyrene, copolymers such as styrene-a-methylstyrene copolymer or copolymers of styrene or styrene derivatives with another monomer copolymerizable with it, e.g. styrene- TABLE I THE EFFECT OF lRRADlATION BY SUNLIGHT ON POLYSTYRENE FOAM/PHOTOSENSITIZER SYSTEMS Conditions after Exposure Additive to Sunlight Benzophenone Extreme Degradation Anthrone Extreme Degradation Anthraquinone Extreme Degradation Control No Visible Change *4().000 langleys (gram calories per cm of incident radiation) Quanties of photosensitizer in the final product may be, but would not usually be used in excess of 10%; preferably the weight of the photosensitizer, relative to the weight of the polymer, is in the range of 0.1% to 3%. The photosensitizers may be added to polymers which already have been polymerized or may be added to the monomers before polymerization.

Benzophenone can be made more effective in promoting degradation of polystyrene by the use of certain phenols, especially hindered phenols, as co-additives. For example, an especially effective phenol, 2,6-di-tbutyl-4-methyl phenol (BHT), widely used as an antioxidant in polymers, when used in the ratio of l-3 parts BHT to 3 parts by weight of benzophenone allows a one-third reduction in the amount of benzophenone needed to produce the same effectiveness in polystyrene. This particular combination is especially useful in food packaging applications since both components are approved for use in direct contact with foods. The BHT in this system appears to function initially as an antioxidant thereby delaying the on-set of photooxidation until consumed, which affords a long, safe shelf-life, preventing premature loss in physical properties of the package. After this induction period, increased activity over that expected from benzophenone itself is ascribed to the conversion of the phenol to species which are themselves photo-active. The net effect is a buildup of latent photo-active species while suppressing photo-oxidation until the phenol is consumed at which time photo-oxidation proceeds at an enhanced rate due to the large concentration of photo-active species.

Certain substituted benzophenones and anthraquinones are also effective in promoting the photodegradation of polyethylene and polystyrene and possess better physical properties and solubilities than the parent compounds for some applications. For example, the alkylated benzophenones are especially suited for thin-film polyethylene applications due to their lower migration tendencies compared to benzophenone itself. Migration tendencies may be determined by measuring the disappearnace of the absorbances of the carbonyl group in the infra-red spectrum of the films with time at room temperature. The degradation rates upon exposure to sunlight are proportional to the ketone remaining in the film. Useful packaging films cannot be made with ketones that migrate significantly. Practical packaging films must maintain their latent activity for periods up to six months or even a year depending upon the application. Photosensitizers that meet these requirements include 4,4'-di-t-butylbenzophenone, 4-tbutylbenzophenone, 4-dodecylbenzophenone, and 2-tbutyl-anthraquinone.

Certain aromatic aldehydes also are effective. Vanillin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde) is especially effective in promoting loss in physical properties of high-impact polystyrene when exposed to sunlight while remaining inert for long periods under indoor lighting. This insures an acceptable shelf-life for packaging products for which vanillin as an additive is especially suitable due to its acceptability as a direct food additive.

The photosensitizers behave somewhat differently in polyethylene than they do in polystyrene. An initial toughening occurs when polyethylene film containing photosensitizers is irradiated. Systems containing both a photosensitizer and a transition metal salt are most effective for promoting photodegradation of polyolefins. Photodegradation of polyethylene can be greatly accelerated by incorporating into such polymers from 0.5 to 0.5 percent by weight, based on the polymer, of a photosensitizer in combination with a transition metal salt, such as manganese or iron stearate, present at 0.05 to 1.0 percent by weight.

Moreover, inclusion of certain colored pigments in polyethylene enhances the photodegradation of polyethylene when photosensitizers are present. This is contrary to the usual observation that pigments screen impinging light and afford protection from degradation caused by light. A combination photosensitizertransition metal salt system in colored polyethylene results in practical photodegradable products.

The chemical additives contemplated in this invention therefore are photosensitizing agents selected from the group of compounds represented by the general formulas C R] Q .g I}

wherein R R R and R represent hydrogen, halogen, or alkyl or alkoxyl groups; R and R represent hydrogen, or hydroxyl or alkoxy or alkyl groups; R, represents hydrogen, halogen or an alkyl or an alkoxyl group; and X represents a carbonyl group or a CHR group where R is hydrogen or an alkyl or alkoxyl group. Co-additives comprising, for example, a transition metal salt may be used advantageously for some applications.

It has been found that the average molecular weight of polystyrene decreases significantly after irradiation in the presence of photosensitizers. This has been measured by following the change in viscosity of solutions of the polymeric materials with time after irradiation in an Atlas Carbon Arc Weather-O-Meter. After exposure for five hours in the Weather-O-Meter, the viscosity of a 2% W/V solution of the polymeric material in benzene at 25 C. was found to fall from 2.85 centistokes to 1.50 centistokes for samples of polystyrene foam containing originally 4.2% benzophenone and fell from 2.58 centistokes to 1.62 centistokes for a polystyrene foam sample originally containing 2.6% anthrone. This can be compared to a change in the viscosity of a solution made from a polystyrene control sample without additive irradiated for the same time whose viscosity fell only from 2.63 centistokes to 2.52 centistokes. Further irradiation of samples containing the additives mentioned above led to further decreases in the visc0sity of the solutions. The viscosity decrease found after irradiation of the photosensitized polystyrene is well known to correspond to a decrease in molecular size. The degradation of the polymeric material after irradiation is revealed by the viscosity decrease of its solutions.

Viscosity measurements also show a rapid decrease in the average molecular weight of low density polyethylene upon irradiation in the presence of photosensitizers as is illustrated in Example 19.

Polystyrene and polyethylene samples containing ad ditives exhibited a large increase in the absorption of infrared radiation corresponding to carbonyl and hydroxyl groups formed in oxidative scission.

The polystyrene samples containing additives turned color after irradiation which was confirmed by an increase in absorption of light in the ultraviolet visible region measured on an ultraviolet-visible spectrometer. Corresponding control samples without additives exhibited only slight increases in ultraviolet-visible light absorption after irradiation and measured in the same manner. These data support the conclusion that oxygen has been chemically incorporated into the degraded polymer. The incorporation of oxygen was substantiated by elemental analyses for carbon, hydrogen and direct oxygen. Analysis of a first portion of the foam product containing 2.6% of anthrone (that was not exposed to sunlight) yielded 91.50% carbon, 7.59% hydrogen, and 1.22% oxygen, whereas a second portion of the foam product, after exposure to sunlight for a pcriod of three weeks yielded 88.73% carbon, 7.39% hydrogen and 3.89% oxygen.

Oxidative scission of polystyrene molecules leads to smaller molecular chains with oxidized end groups which would be more prone to microbial attack than the precursor polymers. It has been established that at least three commonly occurring microorganisms, namely Aspergillis niger, Chaetomium globosum, and Penicillium sp. do in fact, biodegrade polystyrene foam samples with benzophenone added as photosensitizer after the samples have been exposed to sunlight in contrast to similar samples with and without additives but which have not been exposed to sunlight.

The following examples are illustrative of the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Polystyrene foam products that exhibit greatly enhanced photodegradability have been prepared using readily available conventional equipment. A standard screw-type extruder for thermoplastics was employed using general purpose polystyrene pellets precharged with 5% pentane as a blowing agent with 0.3% citric acid and 0.35% sodium bicarbonate present as nucleating agents. A 25 lb. charge was prepared using one pound ob benzophenone which was physically mixed with the polystyrene pellets at ambient temperatures in a revolving drum before addition to the extruder hopper. The pre-mixed material was extruded at about 400 F. in the form of polystyrene foam sheet which was handled conventionally and subsequently thermoformed, using conventional techniques, into meat trays for testing. The resulting product which, as a consequence of losses sustained during the extrusion process, has an actual final concentration of benzophenone, by weight of 2.6% was exposed to sunlight in the outdoor environment and was found to possess much greater photodegradability than control meat trays that did not contain photosensitizer EXAMPLE 2 A standard 20:1 L/D, 2-/2 inch extruder was charged with 100 lbs. of general purpose polystyrene beads precharged with 5% pentane containing 2 lbs. of benzophenone mixed in with 0.3% citric acid and 0.3% sodium bicarbonate as nucleating agents. The pre-mixed material was extruded at about 400 F into foam sheet which was thermoformed, using conventional techniques, into l2 inch X20 inch apple trays of about A; inch thickness. The resulting product analyzed l.8-2.0% benzophenone by infrared analysis (IR).

Samples of the above trays along with control trays without benzophenone were exposed to the sun at 45 S in Phoenix during April-August and received a total of 19,200 langleys of radiation. The samples containing benzophenone turned light yellow and were very friable and broken. The control trays were essentially unchanged in color and physical properties. IR analyses of films cast from chloroform of the benzophenonecontaining samples showed no carbonyl absorption at 1,660 cm or 1,275 cm due to benzophenone. New intense broad bands were observed at 3,400 cm (hydroxyl) and 1,720 cm (carbonyl), which were far more intense than in the control trays.

The degraded foam, the exposed control foam and the unexposed benzophenone-containing foam, were TABLE II Wt. Ave. Mol. Wt. Mol. Wt. Dispersion Control Foam 303,000 5.69 Foam Containing Benzophenone 84,500 10.95

reduction in the average molecular weight and the molecular weight distribution. This evidence supports the fact that chain scission greatly predominates over cross-linking. It is also observed from the molecular weight distribution curves that over 20% of the degraded polystyrene contains species of molecular weights below 4,000 while the control polystyrene contains less than 2% below molecular weight 4,000. It has been shown by others that high molecular weight is one factor preventing bio-degradation of polystyrene.

Certain fungi and bacteria were able to utilize the photodegraded fragments from benzophenonecontaining polystyrene foam utilizing ASTM methods G-2l-70 and G-22-67T which are qualitative in nature. Certain micro-organisms also can assimilate the photodecomposition products as the sole carbon source, whereas the unexposed materials are not assimilated.

This was established using an adaptation of the plate count technique which consisted of placing finelypulverized and sterile foam samples in a growth medium containing all nutrients for growth except carbon. Aliquots were withdrawn at intervals and the number of micro-organisms determined by serial dilution techniques. In this way, the growth curves could be plotted and the rates compared to positive controls (citrate present) and negative controls (mineral salts only). The technique was especially useful for bacteria where the bacterial colonies were difficult to observe directly. Two bacteria, Streptomyces albus and Bacillus subtilus and two fungi, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium funiculosum, adapted readily to the exposed foam but not to the unexposed foam as shown in Table III.

TABLE III UTILIZATION OF FOAM AS METABOLIC CARBON SOURCES FUNGI Aspergillus niger Penicillium funiculosum TABLE III Continued UTILIZATION OF FOAM AS METABOLIC CARBON SOURCES BACTERIA Bacillus subtillus Srrepto myces albus Media Mineral Salts l.8 l0 Mineral Salts plus sodium citrate Mineral Salts plus control foam Mineral Salts plus benzophenone-foam, unexposed Mineral Salts plus benzophenone-foam, exposed l 68 hrs.

EXAMPLE 3 Polystyrene was produced by a suspension polymerization method described in US. Pat. No. 2,888,410 with 1.75% benzophenone by weight based on styrene monomer added to the charge. The granular polystyrene containing benzophenone was then made into foamable beads by charging with pentane in a method described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,086,885. The dried beads were sized by screening and the beads of 30/35 mesh containing 2.0% by weight benzophenone by IR analysis molded into 7 oz. foamed cups on production equipment using a method described in US. Pat. No. 2,744,291.

The foamed cups containing the benzophenone were exposed in an Atlas sunshine carbon arc weather-ometer. Samples were removed at intervals. Weighed amounts of sample were dissolved in chloroform, films cast on teflon and the chloroform evaporated by forced air. Films of 10 mm. thickness were subjected to a puncture test after recording their IR transmission spectra directly. The carbonyl absorption band of benzophenone at 1660 cm had disappeared after hours exposure with new broad bands increasing with exposure time near 3400 cm (hydroxyl) and 1720 cm (carbonyl), both at a faster rate than the control sample. The enhanced brittleness over control can be seen from Table IV. After 200 hours the benzophenone-containing cups were so fragile that they could not be handled without disintegration. Samples were removed at intervals of 25,100 and 200 hours. 3 mil fims were cast from choloform and their IR spectra and puncture strength determined.

Puncture strength of the films were measured by recording the load necessary for a probe having a rounded point of approximately 1mm in diameter and driven at a constant speed of 8 cm/min. to completely puncture the film. The film was mounted in a gasketed frame on the pan of a top-loading balance, and the load at puncture read directly from the balance scale. The results were recorded as the fractional puncture strength relative to the puncture strength of the same unexposed film. The more degraded the film material, the easier it was to puncture, and the lower the puncture index.

TABLE IV WEATHER-O-METER EXPOSURE- POLYSTYRENE FOAM CUPS Puncture Strength Retention 25 200 hrs. hrs. hrs.

Film from Foamed Cup containing benzophenone 20 10 Film from Foamed 60 40 15 Cup Control Actual outdoor exposures in several locations paralleled the accelerated exposure tests and confirmed degradation enhancement.

EXAMPLE 4 A 25 lb. batch of general purpose polystyrene was pre-mixed in a revolving drum with 1.25 lbs. of benzophenone and placed in a standard screw-type extruder as described above. The material containing approximately 5% benzophenone by weight was extruded at 400F. through a multiplestrand die and the extrudate cooled and pelletized using conventional equipment and the concentrate stored in the dark for future processing.

EXAMPLE 5 The polystyrene concentrate prepared as described in Example 4 was then mixed with virgin general purpose polystyrene in the ratio of 1 part concentrate to 5 parts polystyrene and added to the extruder hopper. About 5% pentane was injected directly into the dual extruder as a blowing agent along with 0.3% citric acid and 0.35% sodium bicarbonate as nucleating agents and the foam extruded at about 400F. The resulting product which consisted of polystyrene foam sheet containing approximately 1 benzophenone was thermoformed as before into meat trays for testing purposes. The resulting meat trays were exposed to sunlight in the outdoor environment and were found to possess much greater photodegradability than control meat trays not containing photosensitizers.

EXAMPLE 6 degradation to the absorption at 1860 cm for polystyrene corrected to time 0. It also tabulates a carbonyl index which is the ratio of the 1720 cm carbonyl absorption corresponding to the carbonyl containing products of photo-oxidative degradation to the 1860 cm polystyrene absorption corrected to time 0. 1ncrease in these ratios is indicative of greater photooxidative degradation. In addition, Table V tabulates the disappearance of the rubber double bond in the im- 10 pact polystyrene over the same time intervals at 960 cm". The values in Table V are the difference in the ratio of absorbances at 960 cm to 1860 cm at time 0 and that ratio measured at 35, 55 and 122 hours.

TABLE V WEATHER-O-METER EXPOSURE Benzophenone Butylated Hydroxyl Carbon Double Bond Disappearance Concentration Hydroxytoluene Index 3400 cm' Index 1720 cm Index 960 cm Cone. 35 53 122 193 35 53 122 193 35 53 122 193 Hrs. to hr. hr. hr. hr. hr. hr. hr. hr. hr. hr. hr. hr. Failure 0 0.08 0.66 0.82 1.2 1.5 1.5 1.8 3.1 4.2 1.3 l 4 2.4 130 0 0.20 0.61 0.78 1.3 1.6 1.4 1.6 3.4 4.5 l.2 -l 3 2.1 340 0 0.45 0.42 0.66 1.0 1.5 0.9 1.3 2.6 3.7 l.l -1 3 2.0 375 0.39 0.21 0.86 1.1 1.9 2.1 1.8 2.4 4.6 6.0 -1 7 2.3 133 0.41 0.50 0.76 1.0 1.4 1.8 1.5 2.2 3.9 5.0 -l.2 1 2 1.9 163 0.70 0.32 0.75 0.97 1.5 1.9 1.5 2.1 3.7 5.7 1.4 l 4 2.0 147 0.68 0.61 0.75 0.96 1.3 1.9 1.6 2.2 3.6 5.1 l.l 1 1 l.7 163 0.88 0.39 0.64 0.87 1.0 1.2 1.3 1.8 2.7 3.2 1.1 -l 2 1.4 193 0.85 0.60 0.77 0.99 1.4 1.8 1.4 2.2 3.8 4.9 1.4 l 4 l.9 132 found to become much more brittle and subject to breakage and, hence, disintegration, than the control lids containing no photosensitizers but exposed to the sunlight similarly.

EXAMPLE 7 EXAMPLE 8 Benzophenone, p-tert.butylbenzophenone and p,p'- ditert.butyl-benzophenone butyl-benzophenone were incorporated into high-impact polystyrene by extrusion and pelletizing. Films of 10 mil thickness were extruded containing the desired level of photosensitizer by appropriate dilution, while 3 mil films were prepared directly from the polymer mixture by casting from chloroform as described in Example 3. The various films were exposed in an Atlas Sunshine Weather-O-Meter, and their IR transmission spectra recorded periodically.

The effect of concentration and thickness on hydroxyl and carbonyl production is shown in Table VI at 50, 100 and 150 and 200 hours exposure for the carbonyl index and hydroxyl index as defined in Example 7.

TABLE VI Concentra- Thick- Carbonyl Formation-1720 cm WEATHER-O-METER EXPOSURE HOURS l-lydroxyl Formation-3400 cm' Substituted tion ness Benzophenone m.mol./kg. mils 200 50 100 150 200 Control 3 3.7 5.5 5.8 6.0 1.7 1.6 1.8 1.9 p tert butyl- 66 3 5.7 6.8 7.4 8.0 1 8 1.7 1.9 2.1 benzophenone p,p ditert. butyl- 66 3 5.8 6.7 7.6 8.5 2.0 1.7 2.0 2.3 benzophenone p,p-ditert. butyL- 3.3 3 4.1 5.7 5.7 5.8 2.0 1.9 1 9 2.0 benzophenone Benzophenone 3.3 3 4.6 5.6 5.8 5.8 1.9 1.7 1.8 1.9 Control 10 1.8 2.7 3.6 4.3 0.8 1.1 1.3 1.5 Benzophenone 66 10 2.0 3.2 4.5 5.9 0.9 1.3 1.6 2.0

with time of exposure for samples exposed 35, 53, 122 EXAMPLE 9 and 193 hours in the Weather-o-meter. The table tabu- 5 lates a so-called hydroxyl index which is the ratio of the hydroxy] absorption at 3400 cm that corresponds to hydroxy] containing products of photo-oxidative Cup lids of high-impact polystyrene were produced as described in Example 6 except that 1.75% of anthrone was substituted for benzophenone. The lids 1 1 were very light yellow, but otherwise differed little from unmodified high-impact polystyrene. IR analysis indicated that 1.6-2.0% of anthrone was present in the lids by random sampling. The lids of approximately mil thickness were exposed along with unmodified control lids in a sunlamp chamber. Samples were removed at intervals, films of 34 mm thickness cast from chloroform and IR spectra (hydroxyl and carbonyl indices as in Example 7) and puncture strengths (as in Example 3) determined, as shown in Table VII.

TABLE VIII EXPOSURE METHOD HIGH IMPACT POLYSTYRENE/VANlLLIN-2% 10 Mil Cup Lids Exposure Hours To Reach Puncture Failure Disintegration l-lydroxyl Index Carbonyl Hydroxyl Carbonyl of 1.2 Index of Index of Index of EMMAQUA- Accelerated Sunshine 125 125 225 215 45 South- Phoenix 200 215 315 260 Weather-o-meter 225 230 375 370 Boise- North on Ground 730 780 1,210 1,260 1 Boise- South under Glass 1,650 1,870 2,760 2,980

TABLE VII EXAMPLE 11 Same as Example 1 but containing approximately 1% High Sun Lamp Hydroxyl Carbonyl anthrone as photosensitizer rather than benzophenone. Impact Exposure Absorption Absorption Retention, The resulting foam product was found to have greatly Polystyrene Hours Index Index enhanced photodegradability relative to standard con- No Additive 0 100 p Anthrone 0 100 No Additive 1.5 0 O 70 EXAMPLE l2 Anthrone 1.5 0 O 67 No Additive 5 0 0.1 52 Same as Example 1 but contalmng approx1mately 1% Amhmne 5 19 anthra uinone as hotosensitizer rathe tha b No Additive 24 0.3 0.7 33 q p r enzo' Anthrone 24 0.5 1.1 3 pheneone. The resultlng foam product was found to xg g g' g2; g8 have greatly enhanced photodegradability relative to 40 standard control samples.

EXAMPLE 13 The anthrone caused greater carbonyl and hydroxyl production in the polystyrene over that of the control Sam? as Example 11 but h g pp 1 y up to 24 h cxpcsurc, which was also fl t d in 3% anthrone as photosens1t1zer. This material was the greater loss in puncture strengths. Under extreme f0uhd t0 be much more p y photofiegraded than the exposure (243 hours), however, the large carbonyl and materlal from Example 1 1 cohtalhlhg 1% anthronehydroxy] absorptions were nearly the ame in both am- Thus, the effective useful Of photosensitized plastic ples, but a dramatic difference in strength was apparent Products he changed dashed y adjustlhg the hi h i not fl t d i h puhcturc strength h concentration of photosensmzers added to the system. sensltlzed polystyrene was completely dlsmtegrated 5O EXAMPLE l4 wh1le the control, although brlttle, had substant1al lni Same as Example 1, but contamlng approx1mately 1% o-chlorobenzaldehyde as photosensitizer. The re- EXAMPLE 1O sulting foam product exhibited enhanced degradation Vanillin was incorporated into high-impact polysty- P exposure to Sunlightrene which was extruded and thermoformed as in Ex- EXAMPLE 15 ample 6 1nto approx1mately 10 m1] cup lids and then exposed to various environments. The cup lids containing Same Example 1, but cohtalmhg PP y 2% Vanillin by IR analysis disintegrated very rapidly 1% f y y lf f as photosehsltlzeh The upon td d accelerated exposure, b i resulting foam product exhiblted enhanced degradatained their properties extremely well when exposed to p EXPOSUIe 0 g th thr d d'c c fte ough win ow glass, in 1 atmg an ex ellent EXAMPLE 16 Samples were exposed using different accelerated TWO percent 4,4-di-t-butylbenzophenone (DTBBP) and outdoor exposure conditions as listed in Table VII. was physically mixed with Eastman low density poly- Puncture strengths were determined and it was found that the puncture strengths were essentially nil at a carbonyl index of 3.1 and a hydroxyl index of 1.2 in all ethylene (LDPE) Tennite 154 DF and charged into the hopper of inch extruder. The mixture was then extruded in the form of a rod that was pelletized. Similarly, a mixture of iron stearate in LDPE was extruded and pelletized.

These materials were diluted with LDPE in appropriate ratio to form LDPE mixtures containing 0.1%

mixtures to include 5% of the color concentrate in the final mixture. LDPE mixtures containing green, blue, and brown pigments, each with 0.1% DTBBP and 0.5% iron stearate were extruded and blown into bags of 1% DT BBP alone, 0.5% iron stearate alone, and a combi- 5 mi] wall thicknfiss as in Example 16 anon system of 01% DTBBP 05% stearatf' Samples from the bags were exposed and tested as in T fixtures were charged hopper of a 2/2 Example 16. The results are shown in the following inch extruder and film of 1V2 mils thickness was blown Y Table X. and formed into trash can liner bags.

These bags were out onto film samples and subjected TABLE X to accelerated light exposure. An aluminum foil-lined cabinet with eight GE RS sunlamps, four on two oppo- PUNCTURE INDEX CARBONYL site sides at 8 /2 mches from the film samples, was used INDEX with a large volume cooling fan to maintain a tempera- 50 HR 100 HR 50 HR HR ture of 115 F in the chamber. Exposure test results LDPE-Control 1.1 1 0.81 0.24 0.43 using this accelerated exposure have been found to cor LDPE+Addmve Clear 069 0.34 0.45 082 relate well with outdoor direct sunlight exposure tests. LDPE+Additive-Gren 0.56 0.27 0.73 1.12 LDPE+AdditiveBlue 0.39 0.20 0.72 1.23 Samples were removed periodically from the expo LDPE+Addmve Bmwn 0 18 2] sure chamber to run infrared analyses on the films, and 20 to do physical testing of the films at various exposure times. The data reveals that degradation is accelerated in all Infrared spectr of th fil s were t k d b b the samples containing additives relative to the control ances of the 1710 cm carbonyl absorption, and at the It is Usually Considered that Pigments exert a 1370 LDPE absorption were d d An i screening effect and afford some protection from crease in the 1710 cm absorption corresponds to the photodegradatloh- But the Present examlfler the P formation of carbonyl containing products of photoments accelerate the q f 9 E m the Pres oxidative degradation of the films The carbonyl abscm ence of the photosensltlzmg add1t1ves. Th1s allows furbance then was used as a measure of photo-degradation ther Control the rate of degradanon' The commerical color concentrates used in this exafter normallzmg by dlvldmgby the absorbance of LDPE at 1370 cm at time zero to allow for variations ample were Green 17161 Blue 16192 and Brown No. 18109 sold b Am acet Cor oration. in thickness of the films. The carbonyl index is the aby p p sorbance ratio 1710 cm at time 1 divided by 1370 EXAMPLE cm at time zero. The greater this index, the greater A Set f LDPE fil Samples f about 1 mils in the amount Of ph0t0-ox1dat10n that has OCCUI'I'BCI. thickness were produced mixing dodecy]- The puncture strength of the films was measured as benzophenone (DBP) and anthraquinone (AQ) with described in Example 3. Some of the data for the ex- LDPE both alone and in combination with iron steaposed samples of this example are shown in table IX. ate, and extrud ng film from a A inch extruder. The

TABLE IX PUNCTURE INDEX CARBONYL INDEX SUNLAMP EXPOSURE HR. 100 HR. 50 HR. 100 HR.

Film Samples LDPE Control 1.1 1 0.81 0.24 0.43 LDPE 0.1% DTBBP 1.18 0.65 0.30 0.48 LDPE 0.5% lron Stearate 1.10 0.47 0.33 0.69 LDPE +01% DTBBP 0.69 0.34 0.45 0.82

+ 0.5% lron Stearate EXAMPLE l7 films were exposed in an Atlas Sunshine Carbon Arc Weather-o-meter and samples withdrawn after differ- The concentrates descnbed m Example m ent exposure periods for examination. Infrared spectra 2% DTBBP and 5% iron stearate 1n LDPE, were diluted were taken and the carbonyl index described in Exam- Wllh LDPE pp p ratlos form LDPE ple l6 and the puncture index as described in Example tures containing 0.1% DTBBP and 05% Iron rate. 3 were also determined. Typical results are displayed in Commerical color concentrates were added to some Table XI.

TABLE XI PUNCTURE INDEX CARBONYL INDEX Exposure 50 HR HR 50 HR 100 HR LDPE .l% DBP 1.07 1.30 0.29 0.76 LDPE .l% Iron Stearate 1.13 0.82 0.56 0.75 LDPE +.1% DBP 1.00 0.61 0.63 1.22 .1% Iron Stearatc LDPE .l% A0 1.16 0.50 0.44 0.91 .1% Iron Stearate LDPE Control 1.44 0.85 0.19 0.47

Table XI reveals that the combinations of DBP +iron utilization of oxygen with time is measured using an stearate, and AQ iron stearate, are more effective in electrode that measures dissolved oxygen. promoting degradation than any of the components LDPE samples used contained brown pigment (iron alone. oxide mixture) and 0.1% DTBBP and 0.5% iron stea- 5 rate. One sample was not exposed to light and one was EXAMPLE 19 exposed to a GE. RS sunlamp at a distance of 8 inches Samples r m the gs described in EXamPle 17 C011 through a Corex glass filter for a period of 125 hours. taining brown p g (iron Oxide mixture) and 01% 800 ml. of bottom sludge water from a stagnant pond DTBBP and 0.5% iron stearate were exposed to a GE. was charged into a one liter reaction vessel, and the RS sunlamp at a distance of 8 inches through a Corex temperature was maintained constant at 35 C. glass filter for a period of 125 hours. Similarly, a con- The solution was aerated for 30 minutes to saturate trol sample of LDPE, containing only brown pigment the solution with oxygen, and then 20 mg. of dry yeast (iron oxide mixture) was exposed in the same manner. was added to the solution.

These samples were subjected to gel permeation After turning off the aeration pump, the oxygen conehromatography C) to determine the extent of mocentration was measured in the reaction solution conlecular degradation of the films. Average molecular tinuously as a function of time. The oxygen concentraweights were determined using a calibration curve esti n fell f m an initial value of 8.8 ppm. oxygen to a tablished for branched polyethylene. The LDPE film constant value of 4.0 ppm. oxygen in a 4-hour period. samples were dissolved in trichlorobenzene and run on Th concentration h i d constant at 4 ppm, a five column set packed with Styragel at 145 C. The Oxygen results of these measurements are presented in Table To i Stabilized solution was h dd d 800 mg, f the unexposed film described above. The film was Reduced viseosities were also determined on Solushredded up to facilitate its dispersion. It was found tions of LDPE in deeali" at Reduetion in that the oxygen concentration was not changed and reduced viscosity upon exposure of the samples indicates i d constant at 4 ppm Oxygen a decrease in average molecular Weight For the Control After the concentration had remained constant for 3 samples, the reduced viscosity was found to decrease hours, 00 mg, f Shredded fil that h been exposed y y ml/g, While the reduced Viscosity to a sunlamp as described above was added to the solu- Creascd by 1. 7 /g for the samples Containing P tion. Oxygen consumption began immediately at the sensitizer upon exposure. This represents a large enrate f 1 04 ppm of Oxygen per hour, Thi rate f hancement of degradation in the films containing phogen consumption remained approximately constant tosensitizer. over a 2 /2 hour period.

TABLE XII I The oxygen consumption in the presence of the exposed material, but not 1n the presence of material of Average Molecular weight the same composit on but notdegraded by light, indi- Brown Control LDPE Film cates biological activity and utilization of the degraded material by the micro-organisms.

it s ti gfig While preferred embodiments and examples have Brown LDPE Fil with 0.1% DTBBP been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in and gz ggg zz 10 000 the art that various modifications may be made without -Exposed 170 deviating from the inventive concepts defined in the following claims. Table XII reveals that this sunlamp exposure leads to We claim: some degradation of control LDPE film containing 1. Polymeric material photodegradable upon disposal brown color pigment, but a much more drastic reducby exposure to radiation within the spectrum of the ultion in molecular weight for the brown film containing traviolet content of sunlight in an atmospheric environ- DTBBP and iron stearate. ment comprising a mixture of a hydrocarbon polymer selected from the group consisting of polystyrene and EXAMPLE 20 rubber modified polystyrene; and The susceptibility of exposed LDPE to biodegradaa photosensitizing agent selected from the group of tion was investigated using a Princeton Aqua Science compounds represented by the general formulas O 0 HC 0 II I c R c 7 R R R1 R2 3 4 Aerobic Treatability Unit, Model EG-300. The instruwherein R R R and R represent hydrogen, haloment functions according to the principal that microgen, or alkyl or alkoxyl groups; R and R represent bial utilization of organic material under aerobic condihydrogen, or hydroxyl or alkoxyl or alkyl groups; tions is directly related to the rate at which oxygen R represents hydrogen, halogen or an alkyl or an present in the reaction chamber is utilized. The rate of alkoxyl group; and X represents a carbonyl group or a Cl-lR group where R is hydrogen or an alkyl or alkoxyl group wherein said photosensitizing agent comprises 0.1% to 10% by weight of the polymer.

2. Polymeric material as defined in claim 1, wherein said photosensitizing agent is selected from the group consisting of benzophenone, 4,4'-di-tertiarybutylbenzophenone, 4-tertiarybutylbenzophenone, anthraquinone, anthrone, 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, lchlorobenzaldehyde, and 4-hydroxy- 3 methoxybenzaldehyde.

3. Polymeric material as defined in claim 1, wherein said polymer is cellular polystyrene,

n n c c 7 R1 R2 R 3 R4 4. Polymeric material as defined in claim 1, further comprising a hindered phenol not containing a carbonyl group and being of the type commonly used as an antioxidant in the proportions of l to 3 parts of said hindered phenol to 3 parts by weight of said photosensitizing agent.

5. A method of degrading into a microbially consumable intermediate product an article of manufacture containing as constituents the mixture of claim 1, which comprises the step of exposing said article to rawherein R R R and R represent hydrogen, halogen, or alkyl or alkoxyl groups; R and R represent hydrogen, or hydroxyl or alkoxyl or alkyl groups; R represents hydrogen, halogen or an alkyl or an alkoxyl group; and X represents a carbonyl group or a CHR group where R, is hydrogen or an alkyl or an alkoxyl group; oxygen; and sunlight.

Notice of Adverse Decision in Interference In Interference No. 99,902, involving Patent No. 3,888,804, C. E. Swanholm and R. G. Caldwell, PHOTODEGRADABLE HYDROCARBON POLY- MERS, final judgment adverse to the patentees was rendered Mar. 10, 1983, as

to claim 1. [Oflicial Gazette June 14, 1983.]

Notice of Adverse Decision in Interference In Interference No. 100,943, involving Patent No. 3,888,804, 0. E. Swanholm, and R. G. Caldwell, PHOTODEGRADABLE HYDROCARBON POLYMERS, final judgment adverse to the patentees was rendered Nov. 17, 1982, as to claims 2, 5 and 6.

[Official Gazette Feb. 1. 1983.] 

1. POLYMERIC MATERIAL PHOTODEGRADABLE UPON DISPOSAL BY EXPOSURE TO RADIATION WITHIN THE SPECTRUM OF THE ULTRAVIOLET CONTENT OF SUNLIGHT IN AN ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT COMPRISING A MIXTURE OF A HYDROCARBON POLYMER SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSITING OF POLYSTYRENE AND RUBBER MODIFIED POLYSTYRENE; AND A PHOTOSENSITIZING AGENT SELECTED FROM THE GROUP OF COMPOUNDS REPRESENTED BY THE GENERAL FORMULAS
 2. Polymeric material as defined in claim 1, wherein said photosensitizing agent is selected from the group consisting of benzophenone, 4,4-di-tertiarybutylbenzophenone, 4-tertiarybutylbenzophenone, anthraquinone, anthrone, 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, 1-chlorobenzaldehyde, and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde.
 3. Polymeric material as defined in claim 1, wherein said polymer is cellular polystyrene.
 4. Polymeric material as defined in claim 1, further comprising a hindered phenol not containing a carbonyl group and being of the type commonly used as an antioxidant in the proportions of 1 to 3 parts of said hindered phenol to 3 parts by weight of said photosensitizing agent.
 5. A method of degrading into a microbially consumable intermediate product an article of manufacture containing as constituents the mixture of claim 1, which comprises the step of exposing said article to radiation within the spectrum of the ultraviolet content of sunlight in the presence of oxygen for a period sufficient to initiate molecular degradation of said polymer.
 6. Microbially consumable packaging material comprising a predominance of the photodegradation product of a hydrocarbon polymer selected from the group consisting of polystyrene and rubber-modified polystyrene; a photosensitizing agent activatable by light within the spectrum of the ultraviolet content of sunlight selected from the group of compounds represented by the general formulas 